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#Post#: 152951--------------------------------------------------
Re: My sit down with Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple
DIR By: KentQuin
Date: April 17, 2026, 2:56 pm
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Thanks MQ. A really interesting read and as others have said,
fair play to LD for fronting up. And we have to recognise that
as CEO his opinions on or conversations with his employees
cannot be aired, so he can't be as candid as we'd like.
The positives for me are the clear recognition that we need
reinforcements up front, and that recruitment will focus on
quality over quantity.
I'm also onboard with a smaller, high quality squad,
supplemented by the academy.
Where I really struggle is some of the recruitment and retention
decisions. For me, these directly play in to our injury
epidemic. Laurie mentioned they're looking at the data, but
we've recruited older players whilst simultaneously retaining
those with a poor injury record (e.g. Lewies) and no retaining
players who delivered consistent performances (e.g. Herbst).
Whilst I'm sure bad luck has played its part, we've also reaped
what we've sowed to an extent.
Per my opening paragraph, he can't tell us what he really
thinks, but not replacing Andre was a grave error and whilst
highlighting Titi and Williams as previous Champions Cup winners
is factually correct its fantasy to pretend their close to the
level of Louw or Collier.
Still, I'm aligned with the approach he laid out. Its all in the
execution and decision making now.
#Post#: 152952--------------------------------------------------
Re: My sit down with Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple
DIR By: Archquin
Date: April 17, 2026, 3:20 pm
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Thanks for the comprehensive feedback - disappointing about the
12 situation as sounds like they aren't looking to bring anyone
in which has to be a mistake - sure Waghorn and Bradley may be
decent prospects but an experienced ball carrier would help the
team and their development in my opinion 🤔
#Post#: 152955--------------------------------------------------
Re: My sit down with Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple
DIR By: Quinto
Date: April 17, 2026, 3:54 pm
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Thanks for this MQ.
Laurie sounds utterly clueless. A 10th place finish beckons next
season.
#Post#: 152956--------------------------------------------------
Re: My sit down with Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple
DIR By: T-Bone
Date: April 17, 2026, 4:05 pm
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Thank you very much for such a comprehensive summary MQ and
thanks too to LD - he could easily have refused.
I think a lot of what he says is reasonable and reassuring. I do
disagree with some bits.
I wasn't fussed about Lennox going and I'm still not but we
should have got someone in, not necessarily first choice but
just another body. Playing northmore there so much was
infuriating.
I struggle to believe that pitch condition is the main reason
for our dreadful injury record but let's hope so as it's an easy
fix. I do think our s&c team should be under huge scrutiny.
My main concern is that I can't see any justification for the
faith in Gilmore. As far as I can see we've got worse as the
season has gone on, ie as he's had greater influence. He's just
picked Marcus at 15. All I / we can go on is what we see on
match day, but it does not present a compelling case for his
permanent promotion. I really hope I'm wrong.
Our latest recruitment in the pack doesn't really fill me with
optimism, but let's hope I'm wrong (again)
Finally, as for the players being upset by the online
negativity, then don't read it. Plenty of senior players have
been pretty poor this season, so can't all be blamed on injuries
and callow youth.
Thanks again MQ and LD
#Post#: 152958--------------------------------------------------
Re: My sit down with Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple
DIR By: Twickersquin
Date: April 18, 2026, 4:35 am
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Thank you MQ for a very interesting report back with your
meeting with Laurie, I can understand a lot of what he said but
I can’t agree with him about the non replacement of Andre.Not
replacing him with with an experienced 12 has been a huge
mistake and will haunt us again next season, also his position
with Williams and Titi is ridiculous they are nowhere need the
quality of Louw and Collier who along with Joe gave us a
brilliant front row as good as any in the league unlike now imho
the only shinning light at the moment in the front row is Finn
who sadly has been injured for a while although some of the
younger props are showing a lot of promise. It was brave of him
to meet you and as a huge fan I hope he is right about us being
competitive in a few seasons regarding the top four , I just
think next season could be a repeat of this year if a few new
quality players at the right age aren’t recruited and our injury
problems persist but I pray I’m wrong . Once again thanks MQ
#Post#: 152961--------------------------------------------------
Re: My sit down with Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: April 18, 2026, 4:53 am
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Thanks for all your supportive comments, I’m glad it’s been of
use. I know for myself I probably have a different perspective.
On Andre it did resonate the club did try to replace him and had
various candidates but it never worked out, although I didn’t
elaborate further as ultimately it’s probably a private thing
who was involved and their reasons not coming. I also got the
impression more thought is being put into the players joining,
and not throwing money away in the cap for the sake of it now. I
think being realistic we need to see how we start next season to
really judge.
#Post#: 152962--------------------------------------------------
Re: My sit down with Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple
DIR By: T-Bone
Date: April 18, 2026, 5:00 am
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It's also hard to ask fans to wait a couple of seasons to see a
turnaround, especially after several seasons of decline. We
constantly seem to be in a state of rebuilding and there's
always this suggestion that a coach needs 2/3 seasons until it's
their squad. Just improve what you have first, and then replace
as you go along..
I appreciate it'll take time for the academy crop to really come
through, but we've seen other clubs quickly turn around their
fortunes.
#Post#: 152964--------------------------------------------------
Re: My sit down with Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple
DIR By: dinsdale
Date: April 18, 2026, 5:35 am
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I think I'll renew my season ticket just out of morbid curiosity
to see how much worse it can get
#Post#: 152966--------------------------------------------------
Re: My sit down with Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple
DIR By: DOK
Date: April 18, 2026, 5:44 am
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--- Quote from: T-Bone link ---
>
> It's also hard to ask fans to wait a couple of seasons to see
a turnaround, especially after several seasons of decline. We
constantly seem to be in a state of rebuilding and there's
always this suggestion that a coach needs 2/3 seasons until it's
their squad. Just improve what you have first, and then replace
as you go along..
>
> I appreciate it'll take time for the academy crop to really
come through, but we've seen other clubs quickly turn around
their fortunes.
>
--- End Quote ---
I agree, it's hard to be asked to wait again. Especially after
so many false dawns. However, changing a club must be a bit like
turning a supertanker. You have all your current contracts,
locking in players and money for the next few years. You want to
get replacement players for positions X, Y and Z but the only
players around play A, B and C. You could get a 34 year old
player at Y, but he's had some injury problems. Should you buy
him now (he's a bit expensive) or wait and hope someone comes up
before next season? If you don't take him, Saracens are already
offering tuppence ha'penny and a house and he'll be gone.
I do admit other clubs seem to have transitioned quicker and
better than we have.
#Post#: 152982--------------------------------------------------
Re: My sit down with Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple
DIR By: Yareet
Date: April 18, 2026, 6:49 am
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--- Quote from: MaidstoneQuin link ---
>
> Thanks for all your supportive comments, I’m glad it’s been of
use. I know for myself I probably have a different perspective.
>
> On Andre it did resonate the club did try to replace him and
had various candidates but it never worked out, although I
didn’t elaborate further as ultimately it’s probably a private
thing who was involved and their reasons not coming. I also got
the impression more thought is being put into the players
joining, and not throwing money away in the cap for the sake of
it now. I think being realistic we need to see how we start next
season to really judge.
>
--- End Quote ---
FWIW, in a recent RugbyPass article Quins are cited as having
"fallen short in moves for the likes of Sione Tuipulotu, Levi
Aumua and Santiago Chocobares."
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